Teaching Assistant, Coastal Sciences

TheUniversity of Southern Mississippi’s Department of Coastal Sciences invitesapplications for teaching assistants to aid instructors in teaching fieldintensive marine science courses at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in OceanSprings, Mississippi. The courses willbe offered as a part of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory’s Summer FieldProgram during the summer intersession, first summer term, and second summerterm. Class meets every weekday during the course term. However, due to weather impacts on fieldactivities, schedule flexibility is necessary. Possible overnight travelrequired. Modification of teachingplatform from field and lab intensive to virtual may be required. Forinformation about the Summer Field Program, visit

We anticipatefilling the following Teacher Assistant vacancies as needed :

Barrier Island Ecology – COA 448 / 448Lthree credit hours (2 lecture, 1 lab). Course Description : This field coursewill familiarize students with concepts of coastal ecology with emphasis on thediversity of plant and animal communities unique to the northern Gulf of Mexicobarrier islands. Students will take field excursions to barrier islands duringthis course. Topics covered include marsh, submerged, and barrier islandvegetation, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, mammals, birds and reptiles,intertidal and shallow subtidal communities, and geologic processes of islanddynamics.

Cetacean Behavior - COA 444three credit hours (3 lecture). Course description : Students will learn tools and techniquesused in the systematic observation and documentation of delphinid behavior inthe wild. Course includes both classroom lecture and field studies focusedprimarily on dolphins of the Mississippi Sound.

Elasmobranch Biology – COA 422 / 522,422L / 522L, six credit hours (3 lecture, 3 lab). Course Description : Thisspecialized course will provide students with an overview of elasmobranch(sharks, skates and rays) biology, ecology and taxonomy. Lectures will coversuch topics as evolution, anatomy and physiology, sensory systems, behavior andecology. Students will be introduced tothe diversity of elasmobranchs and will learn how to identify species. Specialemphasis will be given to the species common to the Gulf of Mexico. Laboratorywork will consist of several inshore and offshore collecting trips, as well asdissections.

MarineConservation – COA 450 / 550, 450L / 550L, five credit hours (3 lecture, 2 lab). CourseDescription : Thiscourse will introduce students to conservation biology and ecology with a focuson marine and coastal ecosystems. Topics may include biodiversity, marineecosystems processes and threats, conservation of habitat and species, andhuman impacts, solutions, and policy. The course will consist of lectures,field trips, and laboratory exercises designed to provide students withhands-on experience in marine conservationbiology.

Marine Ichthyology – COA421 / 521, COA 421L / 521L, six credit hours (3 lecture, 3 lab). CourseDescription : is an intensive marine biological field course, which engagesstudents to collect and identify marine fishes in numerous habitats in the Gulfof Mexico. Students experience a variety of land-based and vessel-basedcollection techniques, such as seining, cast netting, hook and line fishing,trawling, trolling, dip netting and many others. Students must work effectivelyalone and in teams and participate in field expeditions to complete the courseobjectives. Successful students gain an appreciation for taxonomic identitiesof fishes and the synergism between abiotic and biotic factors that drivemarine fish distribution and faunal diversity in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Marine InvertebrateZoology - COA 428 / 528, 428L / 528L, six credithours (3 lecture / 3 laboratory). Course description : This course is aconcentrated study of the marine and estuarine invertebrates from theMississippi Sound and contiguous continental shelf of the northeastern Gulf ofMexico. Emphasis is on structure, classification, phylogenic relationships,larval development, and functional processes. Prerequisites : Two semesters ofbiology or permission of instructor.

Marine Mammals – COA443 / 543, 443L / 543L, five credit hours (3 lecture, 2 lab). Course Description : This course is an overview of the biology of marine mammals (cetaceans,pinnipeds, sirenians, sea otters and the polar bear), including theirclassification, evolutionary history, anatomy, physiology, behavior,conservation and management. Course will be online in 2025.

Marine Sciences I : Oceanography – COA 300 / 300L, five credit hours (3lecture, 2 lab). Course Description : This course provides a multidisciplinaryfoundation in oceanography, specifically the terminology, principles,processes, relationships and phenomena pertaining to three of itssub-disciplines : physical, geological and chemical oceanography. The importanceof the interaction of biotic and abiotic processes in the ocean will beaddressed through exploration of timely issues in ocean science.

Marine Sciences II : Marine Biology – COA 301 / 301L, five credit hours (3lecture, 2 lab). Course Description : An ecological approach is taken tounderstand the biology of marine systems with emphasis on local organisms,their habitats, life cycles and survival strategies.

MarineToxicology – COA 490 / 590 : Special Topics – Marine Toxicologyfive credit hours. Course Description : This course will introduce students tothe concepts of aquatic toxicology.Lectures will cover history and basic concepts of toxicology with a focus onaquatic issues, modern molecular techniques commonly used in modern toxicologyapplications, an overview of common xenobiotics, and experimental design. Labactivities will focus on basic toxicological skills, including exposure setupand monitoring, endpoint selection and basic molecular techniques. Course willbe online in 2025.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities :

• Gather and preparenecessary supplies and lab equipment for lab and field activities. Returnequipment to be ready for use by another course after lab or field trip
• Coordinate field experiences, including field lunches from the GCRL cafeteria, vehicle and vessel use, and temporary use of community resources.
• Follow laboratory safety rules; ensure students follow laboratory safety rules.
• Assist instructor with administering tests, quizzes, grading, and delivering course content in lecture, laboratory, discussion, and online formats, etc.
• Maintain communication with Summer Field Program staff members. Follow the policies and procedures of the University of Southern Mississippi.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Preferred Qualifications